Blessings can be prayed anywhere, over anything or anyone, and by any person of faith. Have you ever thought of blessing your Nativity scene or Christmas tree? What about saying a prayer as one year ends and a new one begins? As you gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of our Savior, have you thought about blessing a child in the womb or expectant parents who are present? What about praying to be a holy family on the Feast of the Holy Family (12/29)? Or blessing you home or classroom on Epiphany (1/5)?
Below are some resources to help you extend the act of blessing beyond the church walls. We encourage you to use them to begin new family traditions and to get in the habit of asking God’s blessing on one another and things (sacramentals) that help you and your family make a God connection. You might even wish to bring home some holy water from church to use with these blessing prayers:
• Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene
• Blessing of a Christmas Tree
• Prayer for the New Year
• Blessing of a Child in the Womb
• Order for the Blessing of Parents Before Childbirth
• Family Prayer: Make Yours a Holy Family
• Create Your Own Epiphany House Blessing / Bendición de Epifanía para tu casa
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